Trio sentenced to 20 years for post office robbery

(l-r) Michael Shipley, Anthony Underwood, Mark Underwood

Three men who took part in an armed robbery at a Post Office have been sentenced.

Anthony Underwood, Mark Underwood and Michael Shipley were involved in a robbery at Glen Parva Post Office on February 26, 2014 where £13,500 was stolen.

The trio were sentenced to a total of 20 years imprisonment on Friday, February 27.

A security guard delivering cash to the post office was approached by one of the Underwoods, who threatened him with a hammer, before making off in a vehicle being driven by his brother.

Mark Underwood, 33, of Enderby, and Anthony Underwood, 37, of Huncote, were charged with one count of conspiracy to rob. Mark was found guilty at a trial in February 2015. He was sentenced to 11 years.

Anthony pleaded guilty at a hearing in November 2014 and was sentenced to seven years nine months.

Shipley, 31, pleaded guilty to assisting an offence in February 2015 and was sentenced to 16 months.

Steve Durrant, who led the investigation, said:

“The security guards were doing their job and providing a valuable service to the community when they were subjected to a horrific robbery.

“Despite the conviction and sentencing I am sure the events of that day will remain with him for some time.

“I would like to thank the Post Office and the Crown Prosecution Service for their support and assistance during the investigation.”